Glazing assembly



3,081,504 GLAZING ASSEMBLY John A. Bohnsack, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignor to The E. F; Hauserman Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed May 5, 1959, Ser. No. 811,094 6 Claims. (Cl. 20-564) This invention relates, as indicated, to a glazing assembly and more particularly to a method of and device for quickly and easily mounting glass panes in suitable frames.

It is generally conventional to mount a pane of glass in a window sash or frame by securing the same with small metal points and then applying putty. In the case of the manufacture of movable interior partitions having windows mounted therein, it has been found that it takes over thirteen minutes to putty a single window. Various types of rubber and plastic glazing strips for rapid insertion of the window pane have been proposed, but for most types of such strip there has generally been rapid deterioration requiring frequent replacement of the same.

Metal glazing strips having expandable edge portions to secure glass of various sizes have been employed. However, these glazing strips have been extremely difficult to assemble within the frame and when assembled frequently do not afford a proper fit or seal with the sash or frame. Such metal glazing strips have generally resulted in rattling panes, especially when used in conjunction with door window panes and the like.

it is accordingly a principal object of my invention to provide a glazing assembly and strip therefor adapted to be mounted in a window frame or sash in which the panes may be quickly inserted and which will nevertheless provide a good seal and prevent rattling.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a glazing assembly utilizing a sliding glazing element that will not deteriorate with age and that can accommodate various thicknesses of window panes.

-It is still another object of my invention to provide a method of inserting window panes in sashes or frames in an expeditious manner.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various Ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through the top of a window frame constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through the bottom of the window frame;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken through the side of a window frame employing my glazing assembly;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the upper edge of a glass pane having my glazing assembly mounted thereon preparatory to installation; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to that of FIG. 4 showing the upper edge of the glass pane having a slightly modified form of my glazing assembly thereon.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown at 1 the top horizontal frame or rail of a panel assembly formed with an interior channel 2 presenting shoulders 3 and 4 on each side thereof. Secured within the frame 1 is the upper horizontal frame member 5 of my window sash. The sash member 5 is formed with a centrally positioned downwardly opening dovetail channel 6 extending the entire length of such upper sash member.

The bottom of the sash is formed by thin panel plates 7 and 8, as seen in FIG. 2. A dovetail channel 9, similar in configuration to channel '6 of the upper sash member, is formed by suitably bending or stamping the edges of the plates 7 and 8. This channel 9, however, is formed with each plate 7 and 3 having downwardly extending outwardly flaring opposed edge flanges 10 and 11 which are enclosed and gripped by a heavy reinforcing channel member 12 extending the full width of the panels. As can be seen, this heavy gauge channel member 12 has inwardly sloping side portions which will prevent the panel plates 7 and 8 from spreading.

The sides of the sash are formed with panel end members 13 as seen in FIG. 3 which can be used to provide a post construction. These end members 13 are illustrated in my co-pending application Serial No. 798,491 as forming the post constructions for the adjoining panel sections.

Such end members 13 are formed with vertically extending rebent flanges 14 and 15 extending the entire vertical height thereof and in this manner two such end members 13 may be used to form a perfect miter joint for panels connected in planes normal to each other as shown in my above mentioned co-pending application. The outer faces of the flanges 14 and 15 are designed to intersect the outer vertical edges of the panels used in connection therewith and may have fastened thereto post or panel trim caps 16 and 17 having inwardly directed spring members 18 and 19 that snap over the inwardly directed flanges 14 and 15 to secure the caps thereon. These act as trim strips to hide the post construction from view.

The end member 13 is formed with a deep channel 20 extending the full vertical height thereof. The reinforcing member 12 will extend the full width of the sash and into the post 13 through suitable openings in the bight portion of the channel 20. In this manner the heavy reinforcing member can be utilized to support the entire weight of the glass as Well as to restrain the panel plates 7 and 8 which form the sill of my sash construction from spreading. As set forth in my aforementioned co-pending application, the deep channel 20 has openings therein for suitable post keys so that the end member 13 will form with other end members that are identical in shape a composite post construction.

As a glazing strip for the sides, I employ in my illustrated embodiment a thin metallic sealing strip 21, preferably a strip of thin, full hard aluminum having a certain spring action, which is formed into .a deep general channel shape of the same depth as the channel 2'!) but has the resilient edge portions thereof turned inwardly as indicated at 22. In this manner it will be seen that the pane 23 can be forced between the edges 22 which will separate and form a seal closely contacting the face edges thereof. The end flanges 24 and 25 of the panels 7 and 8 which are secured in the channel 20 as shown in my aforementioned co-pending application may be suitably step notched as shown at 26 in FIG. 2 to avoid the reinforcing member 12. 7

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that a similar channel shaped sealing strip 27 may be employed having the edge portions 28 turned inwardly in a manner similar to the edge portions 22 employed in the: strip for the side of the sash. The only distinction between the channel strips 21 and 27 is that the strip 27 need not be quite as deep as the strips 21.

Referring now to the top of the pane 23 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, it will be seen that I may employ a glazing strip 29 similar in configuration to the strip 21 employed on the sides of my sash. The strip 29 has edge portions 30 turned inwardly in the same manner as the edge portions 22 of the strip 21 and fits closely within a glass stop channel member 31 which is a channel-form strip of metal such as steel considerably more rigid than the strip 29 having the outer edges thereof rebent parallel thereto as shown at 32 and 33. The upper ends of these rebent portions are formed with reent'rant latch portions 34 and 35. Near the ends of these rebent sides 32 and 33, I provide suitable notches 36 and 37 for a purpose later to be explained.

When the pane, which is vertically slightly smaller than the wnidow opening is to be assembled into the sash, the aluminum channel strip 27 is inserted into the bottom channel 9 and the strips 21 are placed in the side channels 20. It is here noted that suitable padding 38 such as resiliently compressible foamed polyurethane may be used in the bight portions of the glazing strip to provide a better sound and heat insulating joint as well as to cushion the pane with the frame. This may be used in addition to or in place of conventional corner supports for the glass pane. It is also noted that this insulating material may be used in the side channel strips 21 if desired. The glass pane with the glass stop assembly positioned thereon as shown in FIG. 4 is then placed in one of the side glazing strips 21 and pushed as far within the deep channel 20 of the member 13 as it will go. The pane is then centered within the frame by placing the other edge in the other side strip 21. The pane then will drop into the lower strip 27 resting on either the cushion or the corner supports or both. It can now be seen that the depth of the channels 20 makes the end members 13 ideal for use as side members for a glazing assembly.

With the pane vertically aligned with the dovetail channel 6, the glass stop 31 is pushed upwardly so that the latches 34 and 35 on the rebent portions 32 and 33 will latch within the edges of the dovetail channel 6. Since the strip 29 has the edges 30 thereof resiliently pressing against the faces of the pane, the entire structure shown in FIG. 4 will slide from the dotted position shown at 39 in FIG. 1 to the final assembled position. In this manner workmen using suction cup carrying handles which adhere to the pane of glass, may readily assemble a panel or'pane in a frame in a very short time, such operation taking as little as two minutes or less. The notches 36 and 37 provided near the ends of the glass stop member 31 afford openings whereby a screw driver, for example, may be employed to pry or force the glass stop from the dovetail chanenl 6, thus permitting an equally rapid disassembly of the parts of my glazing construction.

In FIG. 5, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of my glass stop assembly. The glass stop 40 is generally similar in form to the glass stop 31 illustrated in FIG. 4, however, the legs of the U-shape portion thereof are each formed with slightly rebent or reentrant portions 42 and 43. Inserted within the glass stop 40 is a metallic glazing element 44 which is formed closely to fit within the glass stop and has similar rebent portions on the legs thereof adapted closely to conform to the rebent portions of the glass stop 40. Otherwise, the configuration of the two glass stop assemblies is identical, both having the rebent parallel portions which are shown at 45 and 46 in FIG. which are adapted to latch Within a mating groove in a portion of the window frame. The special configuration of the glass stop assembly shown in FIG. 5 precludes the glazing element 44 from sliding out of the glass stop 40 when the assembly is moved outwardly of the pane to latch within a groove in the window frame. In this manner the glazing strip is always retained or locked within the glass stop and is thus hidden from view.

It will, of course, be understood that any suitable glazing strip, or for that matter putty, may be employed as the glazing strip or element interiorly of the glass stop 31. In this manner a vinyl plastic strip of the same general configuration as the metal strip 29 may be employed. Further, in some installations it may be entirely possible not to use any glazing material at all inside the glass stop 31, the important consideration being the ability of the glass stop 31 to slide outwardly of the pane to latch within a corresponding portion of the window frame.

However, since the aluminum glazing strip illustrated with my new glazing assembly will not deteriorate and can be very easily manufactured as by a rolling operation, it will be seen that my glazing assembly can be easily and cheaply produced and yet will have an indefinite useful life. Furthermore, such glazing strip is adapted to receive and engage panes of different thicknesses pressing thereagainst with a resilient action which precludes rattling. This is highly important in that the exigencies of modular interior constructions may require the replacement of transparent panels with translucent or colored panels of various thicknesses.

It will be understood that the channel member 31 may be used on a side edge of the pane to mate with a corresponding channel in the side of the frame. The method of assembly would be generally the same.

Only by utilizing my slidable glass stop with a suitable glazing strip, element or material can such rapid assembly of my glazing construction result.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be em ployed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. The method of installing a window pane comprising the steps of inserting channel members having resilient inwardly directed edge portions in corresponding channels in the bottom and sides of a window frame, placing a glazing v,assembly having upwardly directed latch portions on the top edge of such pane, inserting a side of such pane in a side channel and pushing the window pane to one side of the frame and then shifting the pane laterally to insert it in the other side channel, centering and dropping the window pane into the lower channel, and pushing such upper glazing assembly into a dovetail channel in the upper edge of such window frame until such latch portions snap into such dovetail channel.

2. The method of installing a window pane in a channeled frame comprising the steps of placing an upper channel assembly having upwardly directed latch portlons on the upper edge portion of such pane and pushing the pane to one side and shifting it laterally to insert both side edges in the respective channels in such frame, dropping the pane into the lower channel, and sliding such upper channel asesmbly upwardly until it snaps into a corresponding channel in such frame.

3. The method of installing a window pane comprising the steps of placing a channel assembly on the upper edge of such window pane, such channel assembly comprising a relatively rigid channel member adapted to enclose a glazing strip and having flexible upwardly extending edges thereon, inserting such pane in a side channel and pushing the pane to one side and then: laterally shifting such pane to insert the other side edge of such pane, dropping such pane into a lower channel, and sliding said upper channel assembly upwardly into a corresponding channel in the upper frame member until it snaps into place.

4. A glazing assembly forthe edge of a window pane comprising a relatively rigid channel member having rebent edge portions adapted to snap within a channelshape groove in a corresponding window frame member when said assembly is moved outwardly of such pane, said channel member enclosing a glazing strip therewithin, said glazing strip and channel member having mating reentrant portions whereby said glazing strip is locked for movement with said channel member.

5. A glazing assembly for window panes and the like comprising resilient U-shaped glazing strips for the lower and side edges of such window pane, said strips having flexible edge portions resiliently bearing against the faces of such Window pane, and an upper glazing assembly having a deep U-shape metallic glazing strip employing resilient edge portions bearing against the faces of such window pane and a somewhat more rigid channel member enclosing said glazing strip and having resilient rebent edge portions with latches on the edges thereof adapted to snap within a corresponding channel in the top of the window frame, said rebent edge portions of said channel having notches therein to facilitate withdrawal of said assembly from said upper frame member.

6. A glazing assembly for the upper edge of a window 2 upper edge portion of such Window pane, a relatively rigid channel backing for said glazing strip having upwardly turned edge portions with rebent latches on the tops thereof, said latches being adapted to snap Within a corresponding channel in the upper frame of the window, said glazing strip being sufiiciently deep to retain the pane of glass therein in the uppermost position of said assembly when the relatively rigid channel is latched Within the corresponding channel in such frame, said rebent latch portions having notches therein to facilitate removal of said assembly from said window frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 751,097 Ohmstrand Feb. 2, 1904 791,437 Budd May 30:, 1905 862,956 Wolle Aug. 13, 1907 1,171,443 Larson et a1 Feb. 15, 1916 1,594,765 Axe Aug. 3, 1926 0 2 ,831,553 Pollock Apr. 22, 1958 

1. THE METHOD OF INSTALLING A WINDOW PANE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF INSERTING CHANNEL MEMBERS HAVING RESILIENT INWARDLY DIRECTED EDGE PORTIONS IN CORRESPONDING CHANNELS IN THE BOTTOM AND SIDES OF A WINDOW FRAME, PLACING A GLAZING ASSEMBLY HAVING UPWARDLY DIRECTED LATCH PORTIONS ON THE TOP EDGE OF SUCH PANE, INSERTING A SIDE OF SUCH PANE IN A SIDE CHANNEL AND PUSHING THE WINDOW PANE TO ONE SIDE OF THE FRAME AND THEN SHIFTING THE PANE LATERALLY TO INSERT IT IN THE OTHER SIDE CHANNEL, CENTERING AND DROPPING THE WINDOW PANE INTO THE LOWER CHANNEL, AND PUSHING SUCH UPPER GLAZING ASSEMBLY INTO A DOVETAIL CHANNEL IN THE UPPER EDGE OF SUCH WINDOW FRAME UNTIL SUCH LATCH PORTIONS SNAP INTO SUCH DOVETAIL CHANNEL. 